Well, I just wrote a comment and it disappeared so will start again. I hear you Reeskylr about the workplace drama. Big fight between two 50+ year olds on Friday and my boss, the Controller let it go on (she was involved, too) in the open for about 15 minutes. This is coming to a head and started in January. So far I have been able to not take sides and stay out of the fray, but it is stressful.. I'm too old for this childishness. Is it time to retire yet? I used to love going to work, but lately, I dread it. The CFO returns tomorrow after a 5 week vacation. Should be a big to do - typical Monday, right? lol.

And Krystyna - here is a photo of the patriotic block I did for the QAYG quilt. As one who has not done a lot of quilting, I was unsure if the batting should be the 12" or the 14" size. I made it the 14", as you can see. Also the backing is 15" because it is fraying. I hope you don't mind doing the final slicing and dicing as appropriate. Better too big than too little, I hope. AND, if you can't use it at all, my feelings will NOT be hurt, so don't be afraid to tell me if I screwed up. Constructive criticism will be welcomed so I can learn from my boo boos!! Seriously - I mean it Krystyna. Don't be afraid to tell me what I might have done wrong. So without futher ado, my attempt at creativity.

SharonAnne, I really like your patriotic block. I especially like the border. Great impact!

Another clue to my SP: she likes vintage machines as much as I do.

That is to funny... Just think what it will be like when you turn 50... LOL

Kelly Those are two magazines I don't get and I wouldn't mind seeing them... not sure how others feel but cooking always interests me even if I don't do alot anymore...'

Sharon Anne, I love that block! It is perfect!
Yes, it was me who fell asleep during the online class - during the segment on how to know when it's time to stop driving! Hahahaha!
Except for a homemade goodie, my package for my secret pal is done! What's in it? Stuff! Good stuff, too.

Kelly - That sounds like a great idea. I like most others do other crafts aside from quilting and it would be a nice surprise to receive a Martha Stewart magazine or any other crafting mag! I love to see pictures of various things made by others and find it fascinating to see people's creativity. I for one feel you can never have too many mags or books to help along the way of one's own creativity. Although I am guilty of not getting to make as many things as I would like when I do see patterns or projects in the magazines but still nice to know they are there in case time allows.

Well my SP box is almost ready (first secret swap so I am super excited) - just waiting on one item so I should be able to ship it out by the end of the week. Hope she likes what I send cuz I sure had loads of fun shopping and making a few goodies. I told my DH about this site and swap and he thought I was crazy with how excited I was when telling him all about it. hehehe I felt like a little kid and all he doing was smiling and shaking his head....lol

Okay - SPs your packages are in the mail. Two tracking numbers - might be yours 03120090000099183900 and 0312009000099183917. The mouse went south!!

Sharon Anne - AARP is 'the voice of the seniors' - and sometimes their voice I feel, particularly on health insurance issues is way far left - far right? - far out. They sell insurance (what they originally were set up to do), so naturally, they are supporting the governmental plan that everyone must have insurance and, of course, theirs is available. I didn't like the way they handled all this - and telling everyone that this is what seniors wanted. Well, it wasn't what hubby and I wanted. When you feel called to stand up for or against something in protest somehow, you do - we quit.

Oh, forgot to say, I'd be okay with other magazines in my box too. Don't normally subscribe to them, as I don't always take the time to read them so it would be a waste of money. But I do enjoy reading them once in a while. I'm okay with homemade items, too and jellies and jams - not lobsters, though (I prefer good ole crabs first -I'm from New Orleans, we eat 'southern food' not northern.
Sharon Anne, your patriotic quilt looks good from my eyes. Don't knock yourself down too hard. It will be used and enjoyed, I'm sure.

TO my friends. Just wanted to let you know my brother died on Saturday. Thany you all for your prayers for my family. Faye

Awww, Faye. I'm so sorry. May he rest in peace. At long last his suffering is over.

This could be me - I'm allergic to cats.

Faye - thoughts and prayers for you and your family at this time; sorry about your brother.

Faye, sorry to hear about your brother. I will keep you and your family in prayers.

Lori for your window project were you looking for something that looks realistic like a poster or the wall murals, or for fabric? Sometimes my lqs has fabric panels of landscape type scenes.

~ no on the other magazines for me. i have subscriptions to three now that i haven't had time to read so they get donated. at least i do look at the covers before i give them away.

~ faye my prayers to you and family.

~ krystyna your patriotic block is draped across one of my sewing machines. once i misplaced the embroidered star for the block i got sidetracked so hopefully there is still time. i will leave it on top of things during the move.

~ sp i have all of your things sitting in a bag waiting for the box. i had wanted to get it in the mail today but tomorrow will be better. i know i overstuffed this package but it all came down to did i want to pack it or mail it. i decided to mail it. enjoy.

~ off topic: i am in my third round of interviews for a job with a not for profit haiti oriented charity ran by a pediatrician i am familiar with. i interviewed with the doc on sunday and her treasurer called this morning for an afternoon interview. we need to reschedule to tomorrow when i can look presentable. it is all sounding very promising but i am one who wants until the last signature is in and the start date solidified before i start to do a happy dance. i have been out of the not for profit field over 15 yrs so this will be interesting and challenging. in nfp's you wear many hats not just the one you were hired for.

the business is one developed by the doctor to feed nutritional supplemental foods to the haitian children to stave off malnutrition. she had been doing haitian missions for over 20 yrs and mentioned sunday that they are getting a larger manufacturing facility in haiti soon as she was on her way there during my interview.

SP ... something coming to you soon ... is it something good? Something icky?
I hope you like yams ... 9405 5036 9930 0097 7672 29

My parish has been doing this for over 20 years. We built a school, got a generator, computers, etc. Then all the goodies attracted thieves so they hired guards with shotguns. *sigh* We sent food to them regularly but much of it was seized (stolen) by the thugs at the ports. The school was severely damaged in the earthquake but they are plugging away. Oh. We also sent toothpaste every February. Then we found out they were eating it. :(

Hugs and prayers to you and your family Faye. So sorry to hear about your brother.

faye I am so sorry about your brother. prayers my friend.

want to say Thank you to (MS Cupid) Teresa for the great package.... Among a bunch of Ladybug things there was material, a charm pak, pattern and a book on easy quilts and a ton of other things... I am going to let the pictures tell it all... Thanks so much Teresa for the best package ever...

package sent off today to my secret pal. State is south of me and is linked with a Ford.

Linked with a Ford ... or a Fjord?
I think it is going to Quiltymom. She likes Fords and Fjords, too.

Mine is gone. I don't know where it went.
Could be anywhere.

Ok I put my name in for August Sp & I read that we are to keep a $10 limit...but just seen pic's of a Sp who recieved a lot of stuff...looks to me a bunch more then $10 worth. Now I am wondering if what I planned on mailing is not enough...oh my! I don't want to disappoint my SP. This is my first time doing this..now don't know what to send!

Here we go again ... ;)

Quick Tips:
1. Use coupons
2. Add from your stash
3. Include homemade items (we love 'em)
4. Add gently used books, magazines, templates
5. Remember, the $10 is what you spend ... not the value of everything you put into the package.

O
ohhh that makes me feel better wheww! Thank you... :)

I about to admit something: I haven't purchased anything for my SP for the last 2 months - everything I've sent, I had here at the house already. It was just lucky that their likes coincided with mine.

But I've also been working to build up my stash of things to send - I watch the clearance lanes at Target and the dollar bins, too. And I also have a tendency to buy multiples of things and then only open one of them (pins, paper templates, notebooks) so I've been able to pull from those.

But I fully agree about the hand-made items. I try to match the intent & fabric with their likes so that it's personalized to them.

And may I add that Kelly puts together an AWESOME package! :thumbup: :) :thumbup:

Ok ladies thanks so much for the imput! I have lots of "stuff" here...LOL. I'm thinking Christmas already ...not that she stated that as a favorite, but if you celebrate it..whats not to like?? Oh a clue as to who...she mentioned blue :)

Okay my package is scheduled for pickup from my house tomorrow... So it will arrive in - - - - - - on Friday or Saturday...
There is an o in the name of the state... Enough hints, remember it's a state NW of me....

still thinking

Just putting mine together, thanks for some hints ladies. My sp needs fabric on colors I don't have, but I think I'll still make something to throw in there.

Could be me - I could be south of you (don't see which state you're in), but Tennessee is linked with a Ford -----I"ll be waiting.

Susansomethings, I had the same problem my first month. I was not sure about this $10 limit. Well, I, like everyone else here, went shopping for the $1.00 specials you find everywhere (flea markets, dollar tree, etc) and put a lot in my next box. I spent the great majority of the budget on the fabric I put in now - all the rest is lagniappe. (Oh, sorry, that's cajun for "a little extra"

Well, shucks, Tennessee doesn't have an o.

Fay, so sorry about your brother. The only ones hurting now are those left behind. Keep up the spirits. prayers sent your way.

Haven't been on the board all day today...
Faye my friend, so very sorry to hear about your brother please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. It's so very hard for those who are left behind! Will pm you but let me know if I can do anything for you.

You all are so impressive here I thought I was doing good, hoped to have my sp pkg in the mail some time this week and wow lots of you have already mailed! Awesome job and nice pkg Rosemary.

Are those dashes the exact count of letters? One word or two?

Those dashes are exactly the number of letters and only one word...LOL Got it Krystyna... don't tell...

I am so sorry for your loss.

Only ONE state has six letters and an O in it.
NuYork!:D